How can we stop our parents from babysitting our kids against our wishes?

Full question:

My ex-wife and I are reconciling and my parents are very upset. The permanent orders state that they would babysit four days a week while we are both at work. We no longer want them to babysit at all. They are harassing us. We told them not to pick the kids up at preschool and they said they are going to and have the permanent orders with them and call the police, if someone other than my ex-wife and I pick them up and they know we will be at work. What is our quickest and best way to deal with this?

  • Category: Divorce
  • Subcategory: Child Custody
  • Date:
  • State: Colorado

Answer:

It seems you are dealing with a custody order from your divorce. If you and your ex-wife are reconciling, this could be considered a significant change in circumstances, which may allow you to modify the custody order.

To stop your parents from babysitting, you can petition the court to modify the existing order. The court retains jurisdiction to change its orders, particularly regarding child custody if there is a significant change in circumstances. The best interests of the child will guide the court's decision.

Since your parents are threatening to pick up the kids, it’s important to communicate clearly with them about your wishes and document any harassment. If necessary, you may need to involve law enforcement to enforce your custody rights.

For further assistance, consider consulting with a family law attorney who can help you navigate this process effectively.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Generally, you are not legally required to inform your ex-spouse about who is babysitting your children unless specified in your custody agreement. However, clear communication can help maintain a cooperative co-parenting relationship. If your custody order includes stipulations regarding caregivers, you may need to adhere to those terms. Always review your custody agreement and consider discussing any changes with your ex to avoid potential conflicts.